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Central Venous Catheter Placement Device

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Project Overview

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are placed into central veins using the Seldinger technique. This technique presents many difficulties in guidewire and skin dilator placement into the internal jugular vein. Since most patients are in critical condition, the user must operate under time-dependent, high-stress circumstances. During the procedure, the guidewire is fed through the needle hub to act as a placeholder for dilators and the catheter. The dilators expand the surrounding soft tissue, which eventually allows the passage of the central line over the guidewire. With the current insertion device, the Arrowhead Advancer, the guidewire often kinks or becomes misaligned, adding extra time and possible complications for the user and patient. Under wet conditions, it can be difficult to advance the guidewire as there is not enough friction. It can be time consuming when threading the dilators over the guidewire as the diameters are small. Further complications can arise such as loss of the guidewire into the venous system and damage from multiple cannulation attempts. The difficulties of the procedure add unnecessary time and can be life-threatening for the patient.

Team Picture

Team members from left to right: Sam Crowell (BWIG and BPAG), Ali Schulz (Team leader), Rachel Minehan (BSAC), Anna Samuelsohn (Team communicator)
Team members from left to right: Sam Crowell (BWIG and BPAG), Ali Schulz (Team leader), Rachel Minehan (BSAC), Anna Samuelsohn (Team communicator)

Contact Information

Team Members

  • Scott Schulz - Team Leader
  • Anna Samuelsohn - Communicator
  • Rachel Minehan - BSAC
  • Samuel Crowell - BWIG & BPAG

Advisor and Client

  • Prof. Tracy Jane Puccinelli - Advisor
  • Dr. Christopher Vandivort - Client

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